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SACRAMENTO—

Over 200 chickens were taken from the Franklin Market Monday after an odor complaint led authorities to the holding area.

Gina Knepp with the Sacramento City Animal Shelter told FOX40 that the owners of the market had bought the chickens from a distributor last week, keeping them without food or water for days in the so-called “battery cages” that they were shipped in.

Sacramento Police were tipped off to the operation after a neighbor in the area of the market complained of a strong odor that seemed to be coming from the chickens. Animal control officers showed up Sunday afternoon and cited the owners of the market.

Authorities believe that the owners were storing and selling the chickens live, a violation of city ordinances.

The chickens — 235 in total — will be kept in an undisclosed Sacramento County barn until the shelter can find homes for them.

For violating city ordinances, Franklin Market faces a $20,000 fine.